The reasons why paid parking could become a reality in Boyle
The current online poll here on Boyletoday.com shows that 61% of respondents would not like to see paid for parking and a traffic warden in Boyle, but unfortunately all indications are pointing towards some form of parking restrictions coming into place at some stage in Boyle. And if that were to happen, there would be no one to blame only the motorists who continually park on double yellow lines and footpaths right outside the shops and business premises they want to enter, even though we have numerous free car parks in the town centre. In addition, certain business owners and employees use on street parking every working day when they could also use the car parks.
Over in neighbouring Carrick-on-Shannon, there is now paid parking around the vicinity of the Landmark Hotel and you can only book a space via an app – there are no meters in place. It is said the reason for the installation of paid parking in this area is because most of the spaces were full by 10am indicating that they were being used by office and shop workers in the area.
If parking habits don’t change soon in Boyle, do not be a bit surprised if the implementation of one hour parking at some stage is a tester for something more permanent in the future.
Remembering one of Boyle’s greatest sons
It is hard to put into words the feeling of immense sadness that hit Boyle since Sunday last when news filtered through of the sudden passing of one the kindest, most sincere and most generous people you could ever meet – Dessie McLoughlin.
Dessie was a totally unique character and the kind of person that you might only meet once in your lifetime. His values were exactly how they should be – he loved and cared for his family, his business, his town and his friends and he did as much as he could for all those with whom he came into contact. In fact, the full details of all the good acts Dessie undertook and those he helped, both financially and emotionally over his short life may never be known. And he did it all without fuss or recognition – he only wanted to make people’s lives better and so many people are better off thanks to Dessie McLoughlin. He was just an all round good guy, loved by both young and old alike.
Similar to how he lived his life, Dessie gave his academic work 110% and there are those who will tell of Dessie’s time working in the former Royal Hotel when he was still in school, studying behind the bar as he served customers. His entrepreneurial streak became evident when he opened the then called Trojan Computer Services and a chain of Video Centres back in the eighties, going on to also co found Shannonside Radio in 1989.
On a voluntary level, Dessie gave of his time freely with Boyle GAA, Boyle Celtic, Curlieu Wheelers, Brothers of Charity and the Elphin Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes where he volunteered for many years. He was also involved in many other organisations and if he got the bit between his teeth – he would see that that club or organisation thrived from his involvement. Dessie’s foresight and vision also saw him set up Boyle 2000.com which was responsible for nearly every 6th class student in Boyle leaving primary school with the then highly regarded ECDL qualification. His far seeing vision was to also bring coding into 2nd level in Boyle, so students from his old Alma Mater would leave school more computer literate that those in any other town in Ireland.
Dessie’s passing has left a void among every section of the community in Boyle and further afield, but our sense of loss pails into insignificance with the loss Dessie’s beloved wife Margaret, his sons Kyle and Ben and daughter Gina, his mother Nuala, his brothers, sister, grandchildren and his work colleagues in Trojan must be feeling at this sad time. Also not forgetting his very close friends George and Breda Stephens.
Thank you Dessie for being a great friend to us all. Life will never be the same without you, and although you are no longer with us in person, you have left a legacy and memories that will last a lifetime – helping those who knew and loved you to get through the dark days that lie ahead.
Shilling Hill work deserves compliments not criticism
Once again, social media was the catalyst last week for wrong messages being made public in relation to the recent road upgrade at the Shilling Hill. As is normal after any major pavement overlay, a follow up crew dig the road for the service and utility ducts and lay the manhole covers. It was not ‘Roscommon Co Co ripping up the road again’ nor had it anything to do with the ‘planning authority’!!
The work was completed very professionally in an area where many services exist and when you consider that all the overlay and associated finishing was concluded in 5 days then it would be better served if all involved were complimented not criticised.
News snippets from around Boyle
Some derelict buildings around Boyle had another noticed published on their door last week informing the owners a 7% levy on the properties following their inclusion on the derelict sites register. Thankfully Roscommon Co Co are taking dereliction seriously in Boyle which should hopefully see some movement on the eyesores that have blotted the town for years…………..A Let’s Talk About Cancer’ event will take place in the The Landmark Hotel on Saturday April 13th from 10am to 1.15 pm. All money raised will be divided between North West Hospice & SHOUT (Sligo Hospital Oncology Unit Trust)……… Boyletoday.com was contacted by a viewer venting their anger at dog owners not cleaning up after their animals ‘do their business’. The viewer also commented on the ‘dog mess on the football pitch where the kids play at The Warren’ and suggested responsible owners should clean up after their dog………Congratulations to Corrigeenroe native and former Boyle Celtic Youth and 1st team player James Bolger, who has signed for Swedish Division 2 club Bodens BK. James played with Boyle Celtic from U10 to 1st team. He has just finished a very successful US College career at Iowa and Virginia, and now makes the step up to senior football……..Leave No Trace Ireland is running an awareness course in Lough Key Forest & Activity Park on Friday April 12th. This one day certified course is designed for anyone interested in learning more about Leave No Trace, in a hands-on stimulating outdoor learning environment. The course takes place almost entirely outdoors and will share tools and techniques for disseminating low-impact skills across the Island of Ireland, and beyond with booking here……….Best wishes to the pupils from Abbey Primary School and Boyle Parochial School who will take part in the National Finals of the Credit Union Schools Quiz in the RDS in Dublin this Sunday. The Parochial School has qualified in the Under 13 age category while Abbey Primary has reached the final in the Under 11 age category……….The first event tickets for one of the headline gigs for this summer’s Boyle Arts Festival will go on sale today Friday. Paul Brady will play St. Joseph’s Hall on Friday July 26th………….Despite there being no official Pike Angling competition on Lough Key over the Easter weekend, it was good to see a number of boats out on the lake keeping up the tradition………… Rhyme & Sign Storytime with Claire Glynn in Boyle Library on Saturday April 6th at 10.30am. Introduction to ISL baby sign with nursery rhymes, followed by Rhyme & Sign storytime. Participants can sign along as they go, no previous experience necessary. Sessions are approximately 45 minutes in duration and are suitable for parents with newborns and toddlers up to 5 years of age. Booking: 📞 071-9662800 or 📧 [email protected]……..Storm Kathleen is due to hit Ireland tomorrow (Saturday) bringing with it up damaging wind gusts. There is currently a Status Orange wind warning in place for Galway and Mayo from 7am to 20.00 on Saturday but you can be sure Roscommon will feel the effects of the Orange Warning as wind does not stop at the county mearing!
And finally…..!
A Mafia Godfather finds out that his book keeper, Guido, has cheated him out of $10,000,000. His book keeper is deaf. (That was the reason he got the job in the first place).
When the Godfather goes to confront Guido about his missing $10 million, he takes along his lawyer who knows sign language.
The Godfather tells the lawyer, “Ask him where’s the money?
The lawyer, using sign language, asks Guido, “Where’s the money?”
Guido signs back, “I don’t know what you are talking about.”
The lawyer tells the Godfather, “He says he doesn’t know what you are talking about”
The Godfather pulls out a pistol, puts it to Guido’s temple and says, “Ask him again!”
The lawyer signs to Guido, “He’ll kill you if you don’t tell him.”
Guido signs back, “OK.! You win! The money is in a brown briefcase, buried behind the shed at my cousin Bruno’s house.”
The Godfather asks the lawyer, “What did he say?”
The lawyer replies, ” He says I bet he doesn’t have the balls to pull the trigger.”
